TAB On The Punt: Nathan Exelby previews the meeting at Doomben

Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby is sticking with Prince Of Boom after a forgive run first-up. BEST BETS, QUADDIE

Prince Of Boom had little luck in his first-up run. Picture: Trackside Photography

Sky Racing and Brisbane Racing Club’s turf expert Nathan Exelby runs his eye over Saturday’s meeting at Doomben.

BEST BETS

Prince Of Boom, R4 No.1 – $2.60

Copped a big bump early first-up and was never comfortable after that. Prepared to overlook that and assess on his trial/jumpout prior. He can dominate these from up front.

Ashim, R5 No.6 – $4

Turned in a couple of handy runs in Midways down south and then not suited back to 1200m last time. Is drawn to stalk Shosha in the run and can then get her down in the straight.

Roman Aureus, R9 No.7, $5.50

Just anchored late under the 59kg at the mile last time. Now back to a solidly run 1350m, he gets his chance to convert his consistent form into a win this week.

MONEY TALKS

Race 1: Dis Dah Wun $5-$3.60

Race 2: Wild Sheila $5-$4.20

Race 3: He Runs Away $8-$6.50

Race 4: Startantes $3.40-$2.90

Race 5: Ashim $6-$4.20

Race 6: Reloaded $6.50-$5

Race 7: Big Bad Bruce $6.50-$4.60

Race 8: Soxagon $5-$3.30

Race 9: Animate $16-$9, Roman Aureus, $7-$5

Flemington

Race 8: Incentivise $7-$4.40

THE QUADDIE

Race 6: DOOMBEN MILE (1615M)

Ballistic Boy ($2.70) trialled well then made a great return by arriving in the nick of time first-up. The mile second-up is ideal and he’s drawn to be close up in the run. Reloaded ($4.80) should have finished closer to him fresh and has come back in the same form as when he went out. Weights favour Ballistic Boy, but he’s obviously come back well. New to these parts is Blue Soldier ($8), who chased a brutal speed at Hawkesbury and was left a sitting shot. Battled on well for fourth. Looks set to enjoy a softer run up front this time. His best overseas rating sets a good benchmark and puts him well in with 54kg.

Selections: Blue Soldier, Ballistic Boy, Reloaded

RACE 7: C,G&E NO METRO WIN (1200M)

Good speed with plenty of them fond of going forward, so that sets up nicely for the two favourites Rebel Salute ($2.50) and Big Bad Bruce ($3.90). Rebel Salute was excellent charging home at Ipswich in very strong sectionals and ran right up to that when revelling in the wet ground at Doomben and winning easily. No doubt he was suited by the going there, but previous run shows he doesn’t need it wet to perform. Big Bad Bruce is building a good record at this track and was way too strong at the midweeks last time. Looks wide open if it isn’t that pair … Kingscote was good winning here 31 days back, while there’s queries on first uppers Confidant and Firebox.

Selections: Rebel Salute, Big Bad Bruce

Racecourse Road will be hoping for a softer tempo. Picture: Trackside Photography

RACE 8: R.M. WILLIAMS OPEN (1110M)

Racecourse Road ($3.10) was torched on speed at the Gold Coast and just had to capitulate in the straight. How he recovers from that, 15 days ago, will be the key to his success here. He’s possibly meeting these at the right time over a course he’s very effective at. Soxagon ($3.30) trialled well in the Alligator Blood/Desert Lord heat on the Gold Coast and you can argue he went better than both. He may find the 1110m a shade sharp, but he’s sure to be eating into the margin at the end. Tambo’s Mate ($6) has trialled well enough for the new stable and usually puts in fresh. You Make Me Smile ($5) is drawn to get his chance, but still prefer him at 1200m.

Selections: Racecourse Road, Soxagon, Tambo’s Mate

RACE 9: CLASS 6 PLATE (1350M)

Looks a bit of depth here but think Roman Aureus ($5) finds his race. He was plagued by wide barriers a couple of times before stepping to the mile here last time under the big weight. Gets a little (but vital) weight relief here and comes back to the course he’s been most successful at. Dreamreacher ($3.70) is the one to beat, having beaten Champagne Aunty and then giving Weona Smartone backers a fright with his big closing effort last time. Drawn to be closer here up to 1350m. Thought the effort of So Taken ($11) was good first up behind the flying Miami Fleiss. She doesn’t win too often, but she’s clearly come back well and out to 1350m suits better.

Selections: Roman Aureus, Dreamreacher, So Taken

AWAY FROM HOME

Jonker did a super job to run second in the G1 Kingsford Smith during the carnival after a setback ruled him out of the Doomben 10,000. He trialled well before heading south and is superbly placed in the Bobbie Lewis (Flemington, Race 7, $4.60) on Saturday. At Kembla, the stars come out to play in the Run to the Rose, including JJ winner Converge (Race 8, $5). This is short of his best, but still expecting him to pull out a big run fresh.